U.S. patent number 6,533,528 [Application Number 09/877,895] was granted by the patent office on 2003-03-18 for support frame for front attached implements of an operating machine and associated locating pins.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Deere & Company. Invention is credited to Peter Degen, Mark Fallon, Ralph E. Shirley.
United States Patent |
6,533,528 |
Degen , et al. |
March 18, 2003 |
Support frame for front attached implements of an operating machine
and associated locating pins
Abstract
An implement support frame or holder is mounted to an end of a
boom for swinging about a horizontal, transverse axis. A pair of
transversely spaced, tapered locating pins are mounted to a
horizontal, transverse member of the support frame. The pins are
each provided with a front surface that is curved on a radius about
the transverse pivot axis and a gradually tapering rear surface.
The pins are symmetrical about a fore-and-aft extending vertical
plane with the curved forward surface acting to aid in guiding the
pins into circular receptacles provided in an upper rear horizontal
member of the implement.
Inventors: |
Degen; Peter (Sassenberg,
DE), Fallon; Mark (Homburg, DE), Shirley;
Ralph E. (Waterloo, IA) |
Assignee: |
Deere & Company (Moline,
IL)
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Family
ID: |
7645512 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/877,895 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2001 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 16, 2000 [DE] |
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100 28 997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/723; 172/272;
414/686 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F
3/3631 (20130101); Y10T 403/635 (20150115); Y10T
403/1616 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
E02F
3/36 (20060101); B66C 023/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;172/272,273,274,275
;414/723,686 ;403/230,243,256,187,188,408.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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A 25 59 293 |
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Jul 1976 |
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DE |
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A 0 398 100 |
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Nov 1990 |
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EP |
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2690718 |
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Nov 1993 |
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FR |
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Primary Examiner: Lillis; Eileen D.
Assistant Examiner: Lowe; Michael
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an implement support frame having a coupling arrangement
adapted for establishing a pivotal connection, defining a
transverse pivot axis, with an end of a boom of a working vehicle,
at least one tapered locating pin having an at least substantially
conical surface extending substantially over an entire length of
said locating pin between fixed and free ends of said locating pin,
and said locating pin being spaced from said pivotal coupling
arrangement and adapted for being releasably engaged with a
receptacle provided in a front attached implement, the improvement
comprising: said at least substantially conical exterior of said at
least one tapered locating pin having a substantially conical
profile being symmetrical relative to a vertical, fore-and-aft
extending plane, and being asymmetrical relative to a vertical
transverse plane; and said locating pin further having a rear side,
adapted for facing said boom, that tapers relatively slightly, and
a front side that tapers relatively sharply approximately in a
circular arc having its center at said pivot axis.
2. The implement support frame defined in claim 1 wherein said at
least one locating pin has a cylindrical region which blends,
without any steps, into a region that tapers toward said free end
of said pin, said cylindrical region being adapted for being
received in a complementary shaped receptacle of said
implement.
3. The implement support frame defined in claim 2 wherein said at
least one locating pin has a mounting base defined by a cylindrical
flange region that is larger in diameter than, and is joined to
said cylindrical region.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns attaching implements to a support
frame which is mounted to a boom end for pivoting freely about a
horizontal transverse axis, and more specifically relates features
of the support frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to be able to attach front mounted implements, such as
buckets, forks or the like, for free pivotal movement to the booms
of tractor front end loaders, telescoping loaders or excavators, it
is known practice to mount an implement holder or support frame to
the boom of the operating machine for pivoting about a horizontal
transverse axis. Arrangements for easy release of the front
attached implements are provided on the support frame.
EP-A-0 398 110 discloses an arrangement for pivotally attaching a
front attached implement to a boom of a loader. An implement holder
is fastened over a rotary journal to the boom and can be pivoted
about the rotary journal by a hydraulic cylinder. In the upper
region of the holder, an upwardly opening, U-shaped receptacle is
located which engages an upper transverse pin of the attached
implement. The rotary journal projects on both sides of the holder
so that its ends can engage receptacles in the implement that open
to the rear. The rotary journals can be retained in the receptacles
by a locking arrangement. For the mounting of the attached
implement, the transverse pin is initially engaged by the support
surface by movement of the holder. Then the holder is pivoted so
that the ends of the rotary journals engage the receptacles.
Following this, the ends of the rotary journals are locked in the
receptacles. Here the lower attachment of the front attached
implement to the support frame can be performed by a locking
arrangement as has been described in DE-A-25 59 293.
It is also known practice from commercially available loaders to
provide, in place of the support frame, a locating pin each that
extends vertically upward and tapers to a cone shape, which engages
in corresponding cylindrical recesses on the front attached
implement. With this method of coupling, however, there is a
disadvantage in that the vehicle must be positioned very precisely
to the front attached implement in order to attain a secure
coupling. Inappropriate handling could result in bending of the
locating pin.
The task underlying the invention is seen in the need for defining
a support frame and locating pin of the type defined above by means
of which the aforementioned problems are overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an improved
implement holder or support frame of the type including a tapered
locating pin.
It is an object of the invention to provide a support frame, having
a locating pin, that is so constructed that the process of
introducing the locating pin into a receptacle of a front attached
implement is simplified to the extent that there is no need to
precisely position the vehicle relative to the front attached
implement in order to avoid damage to the locating pin.
A more specific object of the invention is to provide a support
frame with a locating pin, as defined in the immediately preceding
object, wherein the pin further includes a forward surface that is
curved on a radius about the axis of the pivotal connection of the
support frame with a boom of a work vehicle so that the support
frame may be more easily manipulated to place the locating pin
within a receptacle provided on the implement designed for
attachment to the support frame.
These and other objects will become apparent from a reading of the
ensuing description together with the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic right side elevational view of the
boom of an operating machine with a support frame constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the support frame shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a locating pin of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the pin shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the in shown in FIG. 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a boom 10 of an operating
machine, not otherwise shown, which may be of a commercially
available telescoping loader, for example. At the front end of the
boom 10, an implement support frame or holder 14 is fastened, free
to pivot about a transverse pivot axis defined by a journal
assembly 12. The pivoting of the support frame 14 can be performed
in the usual manner by one or two hydraulic cylinders, not shown.
An attached or front implement 16, shown only partially, for
example, a shovel, is rigidly fastened to support frame 14.
As can be seen from FIG. 2, two pins 18 project from the side of
the lower region of the support frame 14. When the front attached
implement 16 is mounted, these pins 18 engage bores which extend
transversely through vertical brackets 22 located at the rear of,
and forming part of, the front attached implement 16. For mounting
or dismounting of the front attached implement 16, the pins 18 can
be retracted or extended in the axial direction by an appropriate
arrangement as is revealed, for example, by DE-A 25 59 293.
On the upper edge of the support frame 14, a locating pin 24
extending vertically upward is fastened to each side. The fastening
can be performed, for example, by welding. Other methods of
fastening, for example, by bolting are also possible. With this
positioning of the locating pins 24, the pins are easily visible
from the vehicle cab and can be easily engaged in the receptacles
of the front attached implement 16.
Each locating pin 24 is provided with a mounting base 26, in the
form of a flange, and, vertically above that, an adjoining
cylindrical region 28 of smaller diameter, which blends without any
step into an essentially conical region 30. The base 26 of the
locating pin 24 is fastened to the support frame 14. When the front
attached implement 16 is mounted, the cylindrical region 28 engages
a cylindrical bore that is defined in a bracket 32 extending
generally in the horizontal direction in the rear, upper region of
the implement 16.
The locating pin mounting base 26 is generally cylindrical and is
flattened on laterally opposite sides 34 and 36. As can be seen
from FIGS. 2 and 3, the profile of the conical region 30 of the
locating pin 24 is configured symmetrically relative to a vertical
plane 39, extending fore-and-aft or in the direction of the boom
10, and tapers towards the upper, free end 38 of the pin, generally
in the form of a cone. Here the side edges 40 of the cone are not
straight lines, but are curved slightly in the convex direction
They include a mean taper angle .alpha. of approximately
35.degree..
As can be seen from FIG. 4, the profile of the conical region 30 of
the locating pin 24. is asymmetrical to a transverse vertical plane
42 bisecting the base 26 and cylindrical region 28. The locating
pin 24 tapers on its rear side 44, which faces the boom 10, only
slightly towards the upper end, while the taper on the front side
46 is relatively strong. Here the tapered regions of the rear side
44 and the front side 46 are not straight lines, but are curved
slightly in the convex direction. They include a mean taper angle
.beta. of approximately 30.degree.. Hence, the locating pin 24 is
not rotationally symmetrical, but is configured asymmetrically.
However, the taper ratios with respect to the transverse cross
section and the longitudinal cross section of the locating pin 24
are therefore in the same order of magnitude and differ relatively
little from one another. This configuration leads to an optimum
force distribution in the locating pins 24 since they have a
relatively thick cross section throughout their tapered
sections.
The above-described configuration of the locating pins 24
considerably improves the engagement of the front attached
implement 16. When the pins 24 are introduced into the respective
receptacles of the front attached implement 16, it is not necessary
that the support frame 14 and the attached implement 16 be aligned
precisely with each other. Due to the asymmetric configuration of
the outer contour of the locating pins 24, this shape conforms to
the circular movement through which the support frame 14 moves
during the process of positioning the pins 24 within the
receptacles of the implement 16. Due to this configuration, the
front attached implement 16 can be engaged more rapidly, faster and
safer. Evidence of wear and, in particular, bending of the location
pins is largely avoided.
Preferably, the front side or flank 46 of the locating pin 24 forms
essentially a circular arc whose radius R is equal to the distance
between the front side 46 and the pivot axis 12 of the support
frame 14. During the engagement of the front attached implement 16,
the support frame 14 is pivoted about its pivot axis 12. Due to the
circular arc configuration of the front side 46, this conforms
optimally to the pivoting movement, so that during the engagement
relative sliding between the support frame 14 and the front
attached implement 16 can be largely avoided, whereby the locating
pin 24 is loaded relatively little.
The upper region of the locating pin 24 approaches a ball shape,
but at its outer most end region 38 it is configured with a slight
flat. The circumferential outer contour of the locating pin 24 is
rounded on all sides. Thereby pin cross sections that extend
transverse to the axis 42 of the pin are essentially circular, as
indicated in FIG. 5.
In order to fasten the front attached implement 16 to the support
frame 14, the support frame 14 is lowered and the telescoping
loader is maneuvered in such away that the locating pins 24 are
positioned underneath the bores of the horizontal bracket 32. Then
the support frame 14 is pivoted upward about the pivot axis 12
whereupon the locating pins 24 enter the bores and the upper edge
of the support frame 14 lifts the front attached implement 16. As
soon as the side pins 18 are aligned with the associated bores of
the vertical brackets 22, they are extended and engage these bores
and lock the front attached implement 16 to the support frame
14.
Although the invention has been described in terms of only one
embodiment, anyone skilled in the art will perceive many varied
alternatives, modifications and variations in light of the above
description as well as the drawing, all of which fall under the
present invention.
Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent
that various modifications can be made without departing from the
scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
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